GEORGIA WRESTLING NEWS, NOTES, AND NOSTALGIA: 01/24/2008

Courtesy of Rich Tate's GeorgiaWrestlingHistory.com:

NEWS

Great Championship Wrestling returns to the Gr8 Sk8plex in Phenix City, AL, tonight. Bell time is 7:30 PM. Matches advertised are Johnny Swinger & Zero Tolerance versus David Young & Bull Buchanan; and Randall Johnson versus J-Rod. (Brian Slack)

The Power Pro Wrestling Alliance debuts in Douglasville, GA, at Jessie Davis Park on January 26, with a bell time of 7:00 PM. Ringside tickets are $10 and general admission seating costs $8. Advertised: Bull Buchanan versus Bulldog Raines; and a battle royal. Frankie Valentine, J-Rod, Cru Jones, Dark Star, Dark Gable, Kid Lightning, and Bubba Kaiser are expected to be associated with the new promotion. Please note that this event has moved from the originally advertised Deer Lick Park Gymnasium because that building has been temporarily shut down for hazardous health issues. Jessie Davis Park is located at 7775 Malone Street. Call Brian at (678) 952-4209, Ricky at (770) 883-1064, or Shannon (770) 882-4322 for more info. (Rich Tate)

Georgia Wrestling TK has announced the results of their annual polling to determine the Top 50 Wrestlers. Voters who participate are the GWTK and GWH staffs, as well as the promoters.

Bull Buchanan came out at number one this year, edging out David Young, who had placed first in 2005 and 2006. Coming in at third was Slim J, the highest ranking of the light heavyweight / cruiserweight performers. Bulldog Raines, who returned to Georgia rings after an absence of several years placed fourth, while Johnny Swinger was fifth.

Rounding out the top ten, in succession, were Austin Creed, Cru Jones, Shaun Tempers, J-Rod, and Phil Shatter. Creed recently reached a deal to begin working with TNA in 2008.

The remainder of the top twenty in order: Shaun Banks, Sal Rinauro, Frankie Valentine, Tommy Rich, Mikal Judas, Iceberg, Adrian Hawkins, Jeremy V, Jeff Lewis, and the Nightmare (Ted Allen).

Following are 21-30, in order: Chad Parham, Kory Chavis, Jake Slater, Mike Stratus, Simon Sermon, Shadow Jackson, Patrick Bentley, Billy Love, Sean Davis, and Hayden Young.

Coming in from 31-40 were Kyle Matthews, A.J. Steele, Tank, Seth Delay, Truitt Fields, Shawn Hunter, Velvet Jones, Tex Monroe, Jonathan Davis, and Rob Adonis.

Rounding out the list: Jarrod Michaels, Colt Derringer, Ace Rockwell, Phil Davis, Nemesis, Chick Donovan, Devin Cutter, Mason Cutter, Mike Pain, and Deathrow. (Rich Tate)

NOTES

For those interested, Amy ‘Lita’ Dumas’ band, the Luchagors, will be on a triple bill at the Star Bar in Atlanta, GA, tonight, along with Courtesy Murder and the El Caminos. The free show starts at 9:00 PM. Call (404) 681-9018 for more info. (Rich Tate)

GWH wishes a happy birthday to Jerry Brisco (58), Akira Maeda (49), and Vince Russo (47) today.

Bull Montana died on this day in 1950 at the age of 62.

On this day in 1981, Orville Brown passed away. He was 72.

Twenty years ago today, "Doctor" Jerry Graham suffered a fatal stroke, ending his life at 58.

Bobby Duncum, Jr., died seven years ago today of a drug overdose. He was 34.

Today is the fourth anniversary of the death of wrestling promoter Jack Tunney at 68 following a fatal heart attack.

NOSTALGIA

1918: Strangler Lewis, managed by Billy Sandow, and Constant LeMarin wrestled to a draw that lasted nearly an hour at the Liberty Theatre in Savannah for promoter Max Bauman. Lewis defeated Ivan Linow to open the event.

1933: Jim McMillen defeated Jack Zarnas in two straight falls in the main event at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Henry Weber. The bout was referred to as a handicap match, whereas McMillen was required to defeat the Zarnas within ninety minutes. Doc Langford was credited as being a referee on this card.

1933: We do not have results for this match, but Jack Ross was scheduled to defend the Southern Lightweight Title against Eddie Elzea at the New Coliseum in Augusta for promoter W.K. Carswell. Also, Jack Fisher as to defend the World Junior Welterweight Title against Pete Zbyszko.

1934: Frank Speer defeated Marshall Blackstock in the main event at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Henry Weber. It was reported that the match was to determine the “unofficial heavyweight champion of Atlanta.”

1936: Bill Collins defeated Joe Wolfe at the Piedmont-Ellis Arena in Atlanta for promoter Frank Bettis.

1947: Don McIntyre & Johnny Long defeated Tom Mahoney & Earl Wampler in the main event at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones. It was reported that 4,736 were in attendance for this card.

1949: Bob Shipp & Tiny Oxford defeated Vincent Lopez & Red Dugan two falls to one in the main event at the Augusta Municipal Auditorium for promoter Jack Ross.

1961: Tiny Evans & Chief Little Eagle defeated Gypsy Joe & Skull Murphy in the main event at the Macon City Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Fred Ward.

1962: The Assassins defeated Bobby Christy & Juan Sebastian to retain the Southern Tag Team Title at the Columbus Sports Arena for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Fred Ward.

1963: It should be noted that Lou Thesz defeated Buddy Rogers to win the NWA World Heavyweight Title in Toronto, ON.

1964: Fritz Von Erich defeated Joe Scarpa in the main event at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Don McIntyre. Lorenzo Parente defeated Dick the Bruiser by disqualification in the semi-main event.

1967: Enrique & Ramon Torres defeated Jack Daniels & Krusher Kowalski in the main event at the Macon City Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Fred Ward.

1969: El Mongol defeated the Professional by disqualification in the main event at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones. Leo Garibaldi was credited as being a referee for this card, and had initially declared the Pro as the winner, but reversed his decision when a fan at ringside informed him that the Pro had used a weapon in his mask. It was announced that Paul Jones was negotiating for a title match between NWA World Heavyweight Champion Gene Kiniski and Mongol to take place in Atlanta, but that Peruvian Promotions Ltd., Mongol’s management team, were looking to have the match take place in Lima, Peru.

1975: Mr. Wrestling #2 defeated Rock Hunter in a main event cage match at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones. Abdullah the Butcher defeated Ken Patera in the semi-main event. Also, Jerry Brisco & Rocky Johnson defeated Roger Kirby & Buddy Colt, managed by Bearcat Wright, to win the Georgia Tag Team Title. Ron West and Doug Smith were credited as being referees for this card.

1977: We do not have results for this match, but Terry Funk was scheduled to defend the NWA World Heavyweight Title against Thunderbolt Patterson at the William Bell Auditorium in Augusta for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Charlie Harben. The advertised semi-main event was Ole & Gene Anderson versus Mr. Wrestling #1 & # 2. Also scheduled was a match between Jerry Stubbs and Abdullah the Butcher.

1978: Tony Atlas defeated Georgia Heavyweight Champion Stan Hansen by disqualification in a title match at the Warner Robins Civic Center for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Fred Ward. Ole Anderson & Jacques Goulet defeated Dick Slater & Mr. Wrestling #2 to retain the Georgia Tag Team Title in the semi-main event.

1981: Ted DiBiase, Ron & Robert Fuller defeated the Freebirds by disqualification in the main event at the Chattanooga (TN) Memorial Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones. The Mongolian Stomper, managed by Don Carson, defeated Tony Atlas in the semi-main event.